Isanti Soil & Water Conservation District

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Isanti SWCD

Serving the residents and conserving our natural resources

The Mission of the Isanti Soil and Water Conservation District is to provide guidance, to inspire action, and to bring innovative resources to the table so that people can become leaders in keeping land and water healthy for future generations.
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Agricultural Services
Join MPCA's Citizen Water Monitoring Program
Recent Buffer Law Changes

Our Office is Now Open

Our office is now open to the public! We are here to help you Monday - Friday 8:00 am - 4:30 pm.

Staff may not be in the office at all times due to the outdoor nature of our work. Consider calling our office before your visit at 763-689-3271. See the Contact Us page for other ways to contact staff members.

Blue Lake Alum Treatment Date Announceds Announced

Blue Lake Alum Treatment: September 12 - 16

We have the dates selected for the Alum Treatment on Blue Lake! The treatment will take place September 12 - 16 with the application to be done the 13th, 14th and 15th. Due to the treatment, the Blue Lake Public Boat Launch in Stanford Township will be closed during application days (13th - 15th). This will ensure the alum application will work as effectively as possible. Thank you for your understanding!

Blue Lake Prepares for an Alum Treatment!

Blue Lake Alum Treatment

The Isanti SWCD has secured a Clean Water Fund Grant to perform an alum treatment on Blue Lake this year. The treatment would not be possible without the Blue Lake Improvement District, who are providing a necessary 25% grant match and have been working with the Isanti SWCD to make this a reality. The Isanti SWCD has been working to protect the health of Blue Lake by completing conservation projects in the area surrounding the lake. Now, an alum treatment has been identified as the next most logical and cost-effective way to protect Blue Lake.
Learn About the Alum Treatment

Thank you to the Isanti County Sportmen's Club for their $10,000 Grant Match!

In 2020 the Isanti SWCD received a $284,000 grant from the MN Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) to go towards projects in the Green Lake drainage area. The grant requires a 40% match, totaling $189,000. The Sportsmen’s Club graciously provided $10,000 towards the grant match. On November 16th, Jim Fridstrom (pictured center) presented the match check to the Isanti SWCD board. This contribution will help get projects on the ground such as cover crops, wetland restorations, shoreline buffers, and more!

Ecosystem Services Market Consortium

The goal of the Ecosystem Services Market Consortium (ESMC) is to create ecosystem service markets that incentivize producers to improve soil health, benefiting both the farmer and society. What sets this program apart is its focus not just on carbon but also water quality, habitat preservation, and biodiversity production. It is set to launch in 2022. Producers that sign up for the program will be compensated for adopting new conservation and soil health practices. Call us to get started!
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Improving Green Lake Progress
We have made a lot of progress towards our goal of getting Green Lake off the impaired waterbodies list! 2021 was the first of a 16-year grant program to improve the health of Green Lake. The first phase of the grant is funding projects that have a direct impact on the lake.

We have made a short storyboard that will take you through the progress made on Green Lake.

View the Storyboard

The Beauty of Oxford Township Lakes

Oxford Township in Southern Isanti County is home to seven natural environment lakes. These lakes are remarkably healthy and unique. Watch this video explaining what makes natural environment lakes so special.

All of the footage was shot on the Oxford Township lakes!

Watch the video here
Conservation Opportunity

Rum River Easement Funding Available

The Rum River RIM program has more funds available for landowners interested in placing their land in a permanent conservation easement. The land must be along the Rum River, and in compensation the owner will receive 60% of the land value. More rules apply, click Learn More.

If you are interested and own land along the Rum River please call us!

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Congratulations!

Wyanett Township Recognized for Outstanding Work in Conservation

Congratulations to the Wyanett Town Board for receiving the 2021 Isanti Soil and Water Conservation District’s Outstanding Conservationist Award! Each year the Isanti Soil and Water Conservation District (or SWCD), in partnership with our state association, the MN Association of SWCDs, recognizes an individual or organization for their outstanding accomplishments in implementing conservation practices and improving Minnesota’s natural resources. This year the Isanti SWCD board of supervisors voted unanimously to award the Wyanett Town Board as our Outstanding Conservationists. .

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"Conservation is for All of Us"

Kevin Schlipp and his wife have been conservation minded for years. Therefore, when they started learning about cover crops in farmer magazines and from long time practicer Dave Medvecky (part of the Isanti SWCD board), they decided to try them. Kevin has been using cover crops for two years now, and joined the Isanti SWCD Cover Crop Program last year.

Kevin uses a cover crop mix of buckwheat, crimson clover, radish, winter peas, and some soybeans. He chose his mix using the advice of Dave and the NRCS and SWCD staff. When the buckwheat is in bloom the farm is a rolling field of flowers that attracts many bees. However, Kevin’s favorite benefit of the cover crops are not the bumbling bees on his property. Instead, he has noticed “very few weeds breaking out and coming through once the cover crop has been established.” This saves him time, money and chemicals. The weed protection of cover crops encourages Kevin to keep using them, as he says, “If I can get by with using less chemicals that is a motivating factor for me.”

When Kevin was asked why cover crops and conservation was important to him, he responded immediately: “Well, conservation is for all of us.” Cover crops improve soil health and water quality which benefits both the farmer and the environment.

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Board Meeting
SWCD Board Meeting
08:00
Cambridge USDA Service Center, 110 Buchanan St. N., Cambridge Minnesota
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For the latest happening at the Isanti SCWD, please view or download our newsletter.

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2021 was a busy year for Isanti SWCD. Click here to read all about our most recent Conservation programs and priorities. We would like to send out a special thank you to all our Federal, State, and Local partners who support our mission to preserve, protect and enhance water quality, soil, and other natural resources in Isanti County. We’re already planning great things for 2022 including targeted agricultural outreach, lakeshore restorations on Green Lake, and conservation planning in the Lower St. Croix Watershed.

IMG 2097 

One of our conservation technicians got to speak with KBEK about their work. Todd Kulaf discussed the Isanti SWCD and his conservation project at Spectacle Lake. Thank you to KBEK for talking to us! If you missed it you can listen to it here.

logo SWCD Isanti Final MWA 8       KBEK

  • Completed Projects Virtual Tour
    View a map of all completed SWCD projects. Click on individual projects to read more about them.
    Green Lake 319 Grant Progress
    We have made a lot of progress towards our goal of getting Green Lake off the impaired waterbodies list! 2021 was the first of a 16-year grant program to improve the health of Green Lake. We have made a short storyboard that will take you through everything we have done on Green Lake.
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    Oak Wilt Resources for Isanti County Residents
    Oak wilt, caused by the non-native fungus Ceratocystis fagacearum, is responsible for killing large numbers of oak trees annually in Minnesota. Oak Wilt is most severe in red oak group species such as Northern Red Oak and Northern Pin Oak. The Isanti County Parks Department has put together this brochure as a guide for managing Oak wilt: Oak Wilt in Isanti County To learn more and see good photos of diseased trees, you can also visit the U of M Residents can call the SWCD and the Isanti County Parks Department for names of contractors who can help with trees and root trenching on your property.
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    Seed Drill Available for Rent
    The Isanti SWCD rents a seed drill suitable for planting native grasses and wildflowers. Cost is $12/acre. Rental must be within 20 miles of the City of Isanti. Rental has a $150 minimum fee within Isanti County. Rental minimum outside of Isanti county is $250. A $161.81 damage deposit is required at the time of rental. For safety reasons, we ask that you don't drive over 20 mph while towing the seeder. Call Matthew Remer at 763-689-3271 to schedule.
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    Financial Help for Conservation
    The Isanti SWCD can help you with conservation efforts on your property with guidance and financial assistance.We are here for your questions and to help.
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    Tree Sale is Open
    Enhance your property with trees that are especially suited to your property. Container, bare root and seedlings are all available through the Isanti SWCD. The Isanti SWCD tree sale is now open for all your landscaping and conservation needs.